The good old days!

Windham Historical Society is open to the public this fall on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, through November. Visitors will have a glimpse of the way life used to be through many displays of Windham’s past; check out the many maps, books and even T-shirts in the gift shop and find out more about that elusive ancestor who lived here. Our genealogy files for Windham families is extensive. For more information, visit the website, www.windhamhistorical.org or better yet, stop in and say hello to Dave Tanguay, Lou Woodis, Penny Loura, Kay Soldier and many other volunteers. And don’t forget – the annual Old Fashioned Christmas Fair will be held on the second weekend of November offering a wide assortment of exquisite hand made gifts in a true holiday atmosphere.

Author talk

Nathan Lowell, a former Windham resident, will read from one of his works and lead a discussion revolved around his craft on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Windham Public Library. He has been a writer for more than 40 years and first entered the literary world by podcasting his novels. His science fiction series, Trader’s Tales from The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, grew from his longtime fascination with space opera and his own experiences shipboard in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Bean supper

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Friends Church, Route 202 in Windham will host a baked bean supper from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu includes baked beans, brown bread, salads, pies, coffee and punch. $6 for adults and $1 or children under 12.

Chicken cookout

Windham Land Trust will host their annual Autumn chicken cookout on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. at the Friends Church, Route 202. This is across from the town’s Family Resource Center and Public Safety Building. The cost is $10 and includes a half chicken, homemade potato salad, cole slaw, roll, pie and beverage. Eat in or take out.

Thanksgiving basket sign up time

If you want to sign up for a Thanksgiving basket from Windham Food Pantry, forms will be available at the Food Pantry on Monday, Oct. 3. The deadline is Nov. 4 and it must be adhered to because of the increased use and anticipated increase in requests this year. You must be a Windham resident and if you are not a current client of the Pantry, you must provide proof of residence in the form of a utility bill in your name. Questions may be directed to Madeline Roberts, 892-1931.

Help make the holidays special

Last year Windham Food Pantry helped an average of 160 families per month. This year, the first three weeks of September showed 195 families. Donations of food and funds are needed more and more. Whether it’s a bag of canned goods, a carton of paper towels or a check – it all helps. Call Madeline at 892-1931 for more information.

Middle School ?helps Pantry

Windham Middle School has received a National School of Distinction status from the Schools Fight Hunger program, for their efforts in the past for donating more than 700 pounds of food to help fight hunger.

American Legion meets

On Wednesday, Oct. 5, American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will meet at the Windham Veterans Center. A social hour with refreshments, from 5-6 p.m., will be followed by the monthly business meeting. Any veteran wishing to become a member of the Windham Legion Post 148 is cordially invited to come to the social and meeting.

Benefit yard sale

Windham Community Garden will hold a yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. sharp at the field on Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) next to Pinelyne Furniture and My Sister’s Garage. Spaces are available to rent to anyone for $10. Call Marge Govoni at 892-7192 if interested. This fundraiser will help the Community Garden in their efforts. During this growing season, hundreds of pounds of produce were donated to the Windham Food Pantry. Find out more about the community garden at the website, www.windhamcommunitygarden.org.

Help for veterans – young and old

Veterans Service Officer Phyllis D’Orsay will be at the Windham Veterans Center on Wednesday, Oct. 12, to assist veterans, widows of veterans and dependents with questions about benefits and other information. If you have questions of a military nature, stop in and get some answers. The Veterans Center is off Route 302, on Memorial Drive, between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s. Follow Memorial Drive all the way to the Veterans Center – to the right of Home Depot – a dirt, town road. No appointment is needed.

Land Trust meets

Windham Land Trust will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Windham Public Library. The public is invited.

Open House and Sale

A Fair Trade Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Faith Lutheran Church on Route 302 in North Windham. Items for sale include handmade baskets, toys, clothing, puzzles, books, and much more. Lunch and baked goods will also be available. The majority of the proceeds will directly benefit the artisans of developing nations. For more information, call 415-9742.

Bingo

Bingo games are held on Mondays, 6:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, hosted by American Legion Post 128 of Standish. Bingo games pay out up to the state maximum of $1,400, depending on attendance. A winner-take-all game, as well as pull-tabs and a 50/50 drawing will be offered. Food and beverages provided by the Legion Auxiliary will be sold. Proceeds from the games will go towards the building fund for a future home for Post 128 which currently meets at the Kiwanis Building, Rte. 25 in Standish.

Thrift shop

North Windham Union Church Thrift Shop is located in the basement of the church, on Route 302 near Boody’s Corner, regular hours are 1-3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

7th Annual Lions Club road race

On Sunday, Oct. 30, Windham Lions Club is sponsoring the 7th annual 5K Charity Road Race and Walk beginning at Windham High School where registration will be held from 8-9 a.m. You also can register online at: www.active.com. Another link is located at www.windhamlionsme.lionwap.org. The run begins at 9:30 a.m.; the walk starts at 9:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to collect pledges, due on the day of the run. Any participant who collects $100 or more, receives free registration. The registration fee is $12 if registered by Oct. 21; $15 on race day. Children under the age of 12 are free. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life of Sebago Lakes Region and Windham Lions charities.

Gardening at rest

It’s time to put the gardens to bed for the winter. The Windham Community Garden will not be taking applications for next year’s planting season until March 1, 2012. Periodically check out the website, wwwwindhamcommunitygarden.org for further updates. The organizers want to thank everyone who helped make this venture a huge success in 2011 and urge continued support through the yard sale (October) and the annual chili cook-off in February.

Maritime historian and Civil War re-enactor Stevens Bunker, of
Gray, presented a program entitled “Maine’s Union Navy in the Civil
War” at the Windham Historical Society Monday, Sept. 19. Stevens
enthralled the packed audience of about 60 Society members and
guests with an insightful history of the Union Navy and Maine’s
significant contributions to the Union’s war effort. (Courtesy
photo by David Tanguay)

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